Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Explained in plain English

Are ADs always urgent?

Not always! While some Airworthiness Directives (ADs) demand immediate action, others are less critical, like inspections due at the next major service. The urgency depends on the safety risk identified. For instance, an AD about a potential window weakness might require immediate grounding, whereas a minor cabin fitting issue could wait.

Stories that explain this

Ryanair passenger offered rebooking after window incident

Questions this opens up

What's a 'major service'? Who decides urgency? Are ADs public?

Related explainers

What causes ADs? Airline's duty of care? What is an airworthiness directive? What is an audit? Who checks the rules? What happens at 20,000 feet? What happens if rules are broken? What is the ICAO?

The full catalogue

Browse every card filed under A →